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Nanotechnology Minor

University Park, College of Engineering (NANO)

The Nanotechnology minor is designed to help prepare students from diverse disciplines for careers in a broad range of industries innovating with nanotechnology. The minor builds on the singular strengths of Penn State's nanofabrication facilities including its class 1 and class 10 clean rooms, its faculty, and existing academic programs. The minor provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in simulation, design, modeling, syntheses, characterization, properties, processing, manufacturing, and applications at the nano scale.

As nanotechnology increasingly bridges across disciplines, a basic understanding of mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry is recommended. To complete the 18 credit nanotechnology minor, students will take two prescribed courses (6 credits) in nanoscience fundamentals, and then select four additional courses (12 credits) from a growing list of courses that address the areas described in the previous paragraph. A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor.

In addition to nanotechnology career opportunities in microelectronics, information storage, optoelectronics, bioelectronics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, medicine, life sciences and the sciences, the minor prepares undergraduate students to support major new nanotechnology research programs as graduate students. Interested 3rd and 4th year students from related fields in engineering, the chemical, physical, and the biological sciences, medicine, life, and agricultural sciences are encouraged to enroll.

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR: 18 credits

PRESCRIBED COURSES: (6 credits) ESC 312(3), ESC 313(3) (Sem: 5-6)

SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS: (12 credits) Select 12 credits from an approved list, at least 6 credits must be at the 400 level. (Sem: 5-8)

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